Exercising machine

ABSTRACT

An exercising machine comprising: an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks each having two oppositely facing channels; a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along the tracks and having two vertically spaced wheels in each channel; a stack of weights carried by the frame below the carriage; an upright selector post extending between the weights and the carriage and extending through holes in the weights and provided with vertically spaced apertures; lower connecting means for connecting a selected number of the weights to the post, comprising a lower pin engageable with a selected one of the weights and insertable into a selected one of the apertures in the post; upper connecting means for connecting the carriage to the post at any one of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, comprising an upper pin engageable with the carriage and insertable into a selected one of the apertures in the post; a handlebar pivotally connected to the carriage for upward and downward pivotal movement relative thereto; and means for locking the handlebar against pivotal movement relative to the carriage in any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions.

United States Patent [191 Yatso 14 1 Oct. 14, 1975 EXERCISING MACHINE[76] Inventor: Stephen John Yatso, 3132 E. Pieo Blvd, LDS Angeles,Calif. 90023- [22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 473,380

Related us. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 355,419,April 30, 1973,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 272/81; 272/DIG. 4 [51] Int. Cl. A63B 21/06 [58] Field ofSearch 272/58, 81, 84

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,612.523 10/1971 Glynn272/81 3,635,472 l/l972 Marcyan 272/81 Primary Examiner-Richard C.Pinkham Assistant Examiner.loseph R. Taylor Attorney, Agent, orFirmHarris, Kern, Wallen & Tinsley [57 ABSTRACT An exercising machinecomprising: an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks eachhaving two oppositely facing channels; a carriage movable upwardly anddownwardly along the tracks and having two vertically spaced wheels ineach channel; a stack of weights carried by the frame below thecarriage; an upright selector post extending between the weights and thecarriage and extending through holes in the weights and provided withvertically spaced apertures; lower connecting means for connecting aselected number of the Weights to the post, comprising a lower pinengageable with a selected one of the weights and insertable into aselected one of the apertures in the post; upper connecting means forconnecting the carriage to the post at any one of a plurality ofvertically spaced positions,v comprising an upper pin engageable withthe carriage and insertable into a selected one of the apertures in thepost; a handlebar pivotally connected to the carriage for upward anddownward pivotal movement relative thereto; and means for locking thehandlebar against pivotal movement relative to the carriage in any of aplurality of vertically spaced positlons.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14,1975" Sheet10f23,912,263

I IG I. 42 12*} US. Patent 0m. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 01 2 3,%2,263

10 lirchc". 12 /2 EXERCISING MACHINE This is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 355,419, filed Apr. 30, 1973, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates in general to abody exercising machine and, more particularly, to a machine of the typewhich includes an upright frame having generally vertical tracks, acarriage movable upwardly and downwardly along the tracks, a stack ofweights carried by the frame, means for connecting a selected number ofthe weights to the carriage, and an exercising means or device, such asa handlebar, connected to the carriage.

With the foregoing structure, the user of the machine can lift variousweights according to his or her ability, either by lifting on thehandlebar with the hands, or by pushing upwardly thereon with the feet,the user lying on his or her back in the latter event.

A prior patent disclosing a machine of the foregoing general nature isUS. Pat. No. 3,635,472, issued Jan. 18, 1972 to Walter Marcyan.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION The primary object of the presentinvention is to provide a body exercising machine of the foregoinggeneral character which includes various improvements over priormachines of a similar nature.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide anexercising machine which includes, and the invention may be summarizedas including: an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks; acarriage movable upwardly and downwardly along the tracks; a stack ofweights carried by the frame below the carriage; an upright selectorpost extending between the weights and the carriage; lower connectingmeans for connecting a selected number of weights to the selector post;upper connecting means for connecting the carriage to the selector postat any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions; and an exercisingmeans or device, such as a handlebar, connected to the carriage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercising machinehaving the foregoing characteristics wherein each of the trackscomprises two oppositely facing channels and wherein the carriage isprovided thereon with two vertically spaced wheels in each of thechannels, each such wheel being directly opposite the correspondingwheel in the adjacent channel. Thus, there are eight wheels altogetherwith two vertically spaced pairs on each side, the wheels of each pairbeing opposite each other and being disposed in the respective channelsof the corresponding track. A related object is to provide such anexercising machine having two guides along which the carriage slides asit moves upwardly and downwardly, this combination of tracks and guidesproviding extremely stable support for the carriage.

An important object is to provide an exercising machine wherein theselector post is provided with vertically spaced apertures and extendsthrough aligned holes in the weights, and wherein the lower connectingmeans comprises a lower pin engageable with a selected one of theweights and insertable into a selected one of the apertures in the post.

Another important object is to provide an exercising machine wherein theupper connector means comprises an upper pin engageable with thecarriage and insertable into a selected one of the apertures in theselector post.

With the foregoing construction, not only can the number of weightsconnected to the selector post be regulated to match the users ability,but the height of the carriage above the supporting surface for themachine, and thus the height of the handlebar, can be varied to matchthe users height and the type of exercise he or she intends to perform,which is an important feature. Another important feature is that theselector post provides anadjustable connection between the weights andthe carriage which is a very simple and direct one, requiring noauxiliary connecting elements.

Another important object is to provide means pivotally connecting thehandlebar, or other exercising means, to the carriage for upward anddownward pivotal movement of the exercising means relative to thecarriage, and to provide means for locking the exercising means againstpivotal movement relative. to the carriage in any of a plurality ofvertically spaced positions. A related object is to provide a lockingmeans which includes a locking pin engageable with the exercising meansand insertable into any one of a plurality of armately spaced aperturesin a member mounted on the carriage.

The foregoing objects, features, advantages and results of the presentinvention, together with various other objects, advantages, features andresults thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the bodyexercising machine art in the light of this disclosure, may be achievedwith the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described in detail hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a body exercising machine whichincorporates the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the machine, i.e., a view takenfrom the left as the machine is seen in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken asindicated by the arrowed lines 33, 44 and 5-5 of FIG. 2 of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION The body exercisingmachine of the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10 andincludes as its major components the following: an upright frame 12providing laterally spaced, generally vertical tracks 14, FIGS. 1 and 2;a .carriage 16 movable upwardly and downwardly along the tracks; a stack18 of weights 20 carried by the frame below the carriage; an uprightselector post 22 extending between the weights and the carriage andextending through holes 24 in the weights; lower connecting means 26 forconnecting a selected number of the weights to the post; upperconnecting means 28 for connecting the carriage to the post at any of aplurality of vertically spaced positions; an exercising means or device,such as a handlebar 30, pivotally connected to the carriage for upwardor downward pivotal movement of the handlebar relative to the carriage;and means 32 for locking the handlebar against pivotal movement relativeto the carriage in any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions.

As best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, each of the tracks 14 comprisestwo oppositely facing channels 34, such channels facing laterallyupwardly away from each other in the particular constructionillustrated. The carriage 16 is provided thereon with two verticallyspaced wheels 36 in each of the channels 34. Thus, there are eightwheels altogether, each such wheel being directly opposite a wheel 36 inthe adjacent channel 34.

The frame 12 includes laterally spaced guides 38 between and parallelingand in the same plane as the tracks 14,"'these guides being connected attheir lower ends to a base 40of the frame and being connected at theirupper ends to the top 42 of the frame. The guides 38 extend throughholes 44 in the weights 20, FIG. 5, and extend through bushings 46 inthe carriage 16, FIG. 3.

The combination of the tracks 14, the carriage wheels 36,"and thecarriage guides 38 provides a stable and rugged structure permittingfree upward and downward movement of the carriage.

The carriage guides 38 are encircled at their lower ends, below thestack 18 of weights 20, by compression coil springs 48 on which thestack 18 rests. Such springs act as cushions in the event that one ormore of the weights 20 are inadvertently dropped.

As previously indicated, the selector post 22 extends upwardly throughholes 24 in the weights 20. It further extends upwardly through agenerally vertical bushing or sleeve 50 on the carriage 16, such sleevebeing supported by vertically spaced cross bars 52 interconnectinggenerally vertical supports 54 for the carriage wheels 36.

The selector post 22 is provided therein with a plurality of verticallyspaced apertures 56 with which the lower and upper connecting means 26and 28 cooperate. More particularly, the lower connecting means 26comprises a lower connecting pin 58 engageable with a selected one ofthe weights 20 and insertable into a selected one of the apertures 56 inthe post 22, whereby to connect a selected number of the weights to thepost. Still more particularly, each weight 20 is provided adjacent itsforward edge and in its underside with a bayonet groove 60, FIGS. 4 and5, which bayonet groove continues rearwardly as a straight groove 62.The lower'pin 58 is provided with a straight portion inserted into thestraight groove 62 in the underside of each weight 20, and is providedwith an offset portion 64 insertable into the corresponding bayonetgroove 60, such pin being provided at its forward end with a handle 66.

With the foregoing construction, any desired number of the weights 20may be connected to the selector post 22 by inserting the lowerconnecting pin 58 into the grooves 60 and 62 in the underside of thedesired weight 20, and through a selected one of the apertures 56 in theselector post 22. Thus, any desired total weight may be connected to theselector post 22 simply and easily, the weights having indicia on theirfront edges, as shown in FIG. 2, showing the total weight connected tothe selector post for the corresponding position of the lower connectingpin 58.

The upper connecting means 28 includes an upper :onnecting pin 70 whichis insertable through aligned roles 72 in the carriage sleeve 50 and aselected one of 111C apertures 56 through the selector post 22, theseected aperture depending upon the height desired for the carriage 16for a particular individual and a particular exercise. For example, atallperson and/or one lifting only one or a few of the weights 20, andgrasping the handlebar 30 with his or her hands, will require connectingthe carriage 16 to the selector post 22 with the pin in one of the upperapertures 56, the converse being true in the case of a short personand/or one lifting many of the weights 20, or a person exercising bylying on his or her back and engaging the handle bar with his or herfeet.

It will be apparent thatby interconnecting the desired number of weights20 and the carriage 16 with the selector post 22, a very simple anddirect adjustable connection is provided, which is an important feature.

As previously pointed out, the handlebar 30 is pivotally connected tothe carriage 16 for upward and downward pivotal movement relative to thecarriage. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this is accomplished by apivot pin 74 extending through lugs 76 on the handlebar 30 and a bracket78 on the carriage sleeve 50. The locking means 32 for the handlebar 30comprises a locking pin 80 insertable into any one of a series ofvertically and arcuately spaced apertures 82 in the bracket 78. Thus,the handlebar 30 can be adjusted to any desired angle, depending uponthe wishes and/or needs of the user.

As an added feature, the exercising machine 10 includes a second stack86 of weights 88 similar to the stack 18 of weights 20. The stack 86rests on springs 90 corresponding to the springs 48 and is constrainedby guides 92 corresponding to the guides 38. A selector post 94 similarto the selector post 22 extends through the stack 86 of weights 88, andany desired number of weights may be connected to the selector post 94by a locking pin 96 similar to the locking pin 58. The upper end of theselector post 94 is connected to a cable 98 trained around pulleys 100and 102 carried by the upper portion of the frame 12, the cableterminating in another handlebar 104. With this additional structure,the user may exercise by pulling downwardly and/or rearwardly on thehandlebar 104 to lift any desired number of the weights 88.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed forpurposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes,modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodimentwithout departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by theclaims hereinafter appearing.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks;

b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along said tracks;

0. a stack of weights carried by said frame substantially directly belowsaid carriage;

d. an upright selector post extending substantially directly andvertically between said weights and said carriage;

e. lower connecting means for connecting a selected number of weights tosaid post;

f. upper connecting means for connecting said carriage to said post atany of a plurality of vertically spaced positions; and

g. exercising means connected to said'carriage.

2. An exercising machine as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a. said post is provided with vertically spaced aper= tures and extendsthrough aligned holes in said weights; and

b. said lower connecting means comprises a lower pin engageable with aselected one of said weights and insertable into a selected one of saidapertures in said post.

4. An exercising machine according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said post is provided with vertically spaced apertures; and

b. said upper connecting means comprises an upper pin engageable withsaid carriage and insertable into a selected one of said apertures insaid post.

5. An exercising machine as defined in claim 1 including:

a. means pivotally connecting said exercising means to said carriage forupward and downward pivotal movement of said exercising means relativeto said carriage; and

b. means for locking said exercising means against pivotal movementrelative to said carriage in any of a plurality of vertically spacedpositions.

6. An exercising machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said post is provided with vertically spaced apertures and extendsthrough aligned holes in said weights;

b. said lower connecting means comprises a lower pin engageable with aselected one of said weights and insertable into a selected one of saidapertures in said post; and

c. said upper connecting means comprises an upper pin engageable withsaid carriage and insertable into another selected one of said aperturesin said post.

7. An exercising machine as defined in claim 6 including:

a. means pivotally connecting said exercising means to said carriage forupward and downward pivotal movement of said exercising means relativeto said carriage; and

b. means for locking said exercising means against pivotal movementrelative to said carriage in any of a plurality of vertically spacedpositions.

8. An exercising machine according to claim 7 wherein said exercisingmeans comprises a handlebar.

9. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks;

b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along said tracks;

c. a stack of weights carried by said frame below said carriage;

d. an upright selector post extending between said weights and saidcarriage;

e. lower connecting means for connecting a selected number of saidweights to said post;

f. upper connecting means for connecting said carriage to said post atany of a plurality of vertically spaced positions;

g. exercising means connected to said carriage;

h: each ofsaid tracks comprising two oppositely fac- -ing channels; and"is saidcarriage being provided thereon with two vertically spaced wheelsin each of said channels.

l0.-lh an exercising machine,'the combination of:

an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks;

b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along said tracks;

c. a stack of weights carried by said frame below said carriage;

d. an upright selector post extending between said weights and saidcarriage;

e. lower connecting means for connecting a selected number of saidweights to said post;

f. upper connecting means for connecting said carriage to said post atany of a plurality of vertically spaced positions;

g. exercising means connected to said carriage;

h. said post being provided with vertically spaced apertures; and

i. said upper connecting means comprising an upper pin engageable withsaid carriage and insertable into a selected one of said apertures insaid post.

11. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks;

b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along said tracks;

c. a stack of weights carried by said frame below said carriage;

d. an upright selector post extending between said weights and saidcarriage;

e. lower connecting means for connecting a selected number of saidweights to said post;

f. upper connecting means for connecting said carriage to said post atany of a plurality of vertically spaced positions;

g. exercising means connected to said carriage;

h. means pivotally connecting said exercising means to said carriage forupward and downward pivotal movement of said exercising means relativeto said carriage; and

i. means for locking said exercising means against pivotal movementrelative to said carriage in any of a plurality of vertically spacedpositions.

12. In an exercising machine, the combination of:

a. an upright frame providing generally vertical tracks;

b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly along said tracks;

c. a stack of weights carried by said frame below said carriage;

d. an upright selector post extending between said weights and saidcarriage;

e. lower connecting means for connecting a selected number of saidweights to said post;

f. upper connecting means for connecting said carriage to said post atany of a plurality of vertically spaced positions;

g. exercising means connected to said carriage;

h. said post being provided with vertically spaced apertures andextending through aligned holes in said weights;

i. said lower connecting means comprising a lower pin engageable with aselected one of said weights to said carriage for upward and downwardpivotal movement of said exercising means relative to said carriage; and

b, means for locking said exercising means against pivotal movementrelative to said carriage in any of a plurality of vertically spacedpositions.

14. An exercising machine according to claim 13 wherein said exercisingmeans comprises a handlebar. l l

1. In an exercising machine, the combination of: a. an upright frameproviding generally vertical tracks; b. a carriage movable upwardly anddownwardly along said tracks; c. a stack of weights carried by saidframe substantially directly below said carriage; d. an upright selectorpost extending substantially directly and vertically between saidweights and said carriage; e. lower connecting means for connecting aselected number of weights to said post; f. upper connecting means forconnecting said carriage to said post at any of a plurality ofvertically spaced positions; and g. exercising means connected to saidcarriage.
 2. An exercising machine as defined in claim 1 wherein: a.each of said tracks comprises two oppositely facing channels; and b.said carriage is provided thereon with two vertically spaced wheels ineach of said channels.
 3. An exercising machine as set forth in claim 1wherein: a. said post is provided with vertically spaced apertures andextends through aligned holes in said weights; and b. said lowerconnecting means comprises a lower pin engageable with a selected one ofsaid weights and insertable into a selected one of said apertures insaid post.
 4. An exercising machine according to claim 1 wherein: a.said post is provided with vertically spaced apertures; and b. saidupper connecting means comprises an upper pin engageable with saidcarriage and insertable into a selected one of said apertures in saidpost.
 5. An exercising machine as defined in claim 1 including: a. meanspivotally connecting said exercising means to said carriage for upwardand downward pivotal movement of said exercising means relative to saidcarriage; and b. means for locking said exercising means against pivotalmovement relative to said carriage in any of a plurality of verticallyspaced positions.
 6. An exercising machine as set forth in claim 1wherein: a. said post is provided with vertically spaced apertures andextends through aligned holes in said weights; b. said lower connectingmeans comprises a lower pin engageable with a selected one of saidweights and insertable into a selected one of said apertures in saidpost; and c. said upper connecting means comprises an upper pinengageable with said carriage and insertable into another selected oneof said apertures in said post.
 7. An exercising machine as defined inclaim 6 including: a. means pivotally connecting said exercising meansto said carriage for upward and downward pivotal movement of saidexercising means relative to said carriage; and b. means for lockingsaid exercising means against pivotal movement relative to said carriagein any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions.
 8. An exercisingmachine according to claim 7 wherein said exercising means comprises ahandlebar.
 9. In an exercising machine, the combination of: a. anupright frame providing generally vertical tracks; b. a carriage movableupwardly and downwardly along said tracks; c. a stack of weights carriedby said frame below said carriage; d. an upright selector post extendingbetween said weights and said carriage; e. lower connecting means forconnecting a selected number of said weights to said post; f. upperconnecting means for connecting said carriage to said post at any of aplurality of vertically spaced positions; g. exercising means connectedto said carriage; h. each of said tracks comprising two oppositelyfacing channels; and i. said carriage being provided thereon with twovertically spaced wheels in each of said channels.
 10. In an exercisingmachine, the combination of: an upright frame providing generallyvertical tracks; b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardly alongsaid tracks; c. a stack of weights carried by said frame below saidcarriage; d. an upright selector post extending between said weights andsaid carriage; e. lower connecting means for connecting a selectednumber of said weights to said post; f. upper connecting means forconnecting said carriage to said post at any of a plurality ofvertically spaced positions; g. exercising means connected to saidcarriage; h. said post being provided with vertically spaced apertures;and i. said upper connecting means comprising an upper pin engageablewith said carriage and insertable into a selected one of said aperturesin said post.
 11. In an exercising machine, the combination of: a. anupright frame providing generally vertical tracks; b. a carriage movableupwardly and downwardly along said tracks; c. a stack of weights carriedby said frame below said carriage; d. an upright selector post extendingbetween said weights and said carriage; e. lower connecting means forconnecting a selected number of said weights to said post; f. upperconnecting means for connecting said carriage to said post at any of aplurality of vertically spaced positions; g. exercising means connectedto said carriage; h. means pivotally connecting said exercising means tosaid carriage for upward and downward pivotal movement of saidexercising means relative to said carriage; and i. means for lockingsaid exercising means against pivotal movement relative to said carriagein any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions.
 12. In anexercising machine, the combination of: a. an upright frame providinggenerally vertical tracks; b. a carriage movable upwardly and downwardlyalong said tracks; c. a stack of weights carried by said frame belowsaid carriage; d. an upright selector post extending between saidweights and said carriage; e. lower connecting means for connecting aselected number of said weights to said post; f. upper connecting meansfor connecting said carriage to said post at any of a plurality ofvertically spaced positions; g. exercising means connected to saidcarriage; h. said post being provided with vertically spaced aperturesand extending through aligned holes in said weights; i. said lowerconnecting means comprising a lower pin engageable with a selected oneof said weights and insertable into a selected one of said apertures insaid post; and j. said upper connecting means comprising an upper pinengageable with said carriage and insertable into another selected oneof said apertures in said post.
 13. An exercising machine as defined inclaim 12 including: a. means pivotally connecting said exercising meansto said carriage for upward and downward pivotal movement of saidexercising means relative to said carriage; and b. means for lockingsaid exercising means against pivotal movement relative to said carriagein any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions.
 14. An exercisingmachine according to claim 13 wherein said exercising means comprises ahandlebar.